Motor Trend - First Drive: 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4MATIC
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,846
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Motor Trend - First Drive: 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4MATIC
Coupe de Gravel: Tackle trails in regal style
Okay, admittedly the graceful coupe pictured here is not aimed at plutocratic off-roaders, but the engineers on hand at its launch proudly recalled an instance while mountain testing when they encountered a team of fellow development engineers shaking down a proper off-roader. Upon hiking the AIRMATIC suspenders up to tippy-toe mode, their graceful and gorgeous coupe managed to tackle a trail that impressed the truckers.
2009 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4MATIC - First Drive - Motor Trend
M
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 452
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2006 CLK350
Honestly, I love the idea of an awd coupe. You get a little of everything. I mean I've never taken my CLK in the snow, but its good to know that if someone else was using the SUV and I needed to run to the supermarket for milk with 2 inches of snow on the ground, I could.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 32
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From: Germany
CL 500 (550)
I do not like AWD that much -- always comes with more weight, steering feel for front wheels is somehow biased and in the CL's case 4MATIC is not available with the brillant ABC chassis...
...but 4MATIC could probably cure CL's traction problem (from standstill).
CL 65 with 4MATIC and ABC -- that would be some dragster!
...but 4MATIC could probably cure CL's traction problem (from standstill).
CL 65 with 4MATIC and ABC -- that would be some dragster!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 1
From: CA
2010 CL65
Agree....4Matic is highly overrated...
And ABC and traction/braking value of proper winter tires/wheels are highly underappreciated....
Have found traction of my CL63 to be superb in both dry/wet (obviously have no need for winter tires in CA
)....
Would argue aggressive launch from 0 MPH is largely irrelevant anyway to most jaded drivers of any high-end car; 0-xxx accel is prob most relevant to clueless journalists and ricers
....
I suspect most CL drivers care about dry/wet traction w/aggressive mid-range accel on fwy...or trac in rapid launch from ?20-30MPH coming out of a curve in twisties.....
And ABC and traction/braking value of proper winter tires/wheels are highly underappreciated....
Have found traction of my CL63 to be superb in both dry/wet (obviously have no need for winter tires in CA
)....Would argue aggressive launch from 0 MPH is largely irrelevant anyway to most jaded drivers of any high-end car; 0-xxx accel is prob most relevant to clueless journalists and ricers
....I suspect most CL drivers care about dry/wet traction w/aggressive mid-range accel on fwy...or trac in rapid launch from ?20-30MPH coming out of a curve in twisties.....
Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 77
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From: Madison
CL 65 '09, ML 63 '09. The wife's: 09' SL 63 & S550.
Agree....4Matic is highly overrated...
And ABC and traction/braking value of proper winter tires/wheels are highly underappreciated....
Have found traction of my CL63 to be superb in both dry/wet (obviously have no need for winter tires in CA)....
Would argue aggressive launch from 0 MPH is largely irrelevant anyway to most jaded drivers of any high-end car; 0-xxx accel is prob most relevant to clueless journalists and ricers....
I suspect most CL drivers care about dry/wet traction w/aggressive mid-range accel on fwy...or trac in rapid launch from ?20-30MPH coming out of a curve in twisties.....
And ABC and traction/braking value of proper winter tires/wheels are highly underappreciated....
Have found traction of my CL63 to be superb in both dry/wet (obviously have no need for winter tires in CA
)....Would argue aggressive launch from 0 MPH is largely irrelevant anyway to most jaded drivers of any high-end car; 0-xxx accel is prob most relevant to clueless journalists and ricers
....I suspect most CL drivers care about dry/wet traction w/aggressive mid-range accel on fwy...or trac in rapid launch from ?20-30MPH coming out of a curve in twisties.....
That ML 63 is the best SUV out there and did great with snowtires this year, during our 100" of the frickin white stuff...why do I live here again? 
I need to move to CA and stick with one CL (65) D.
